The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1887-03-17
After this Lilla's pet pireon WAS "a

After this Lilla's pet pigeon was, a:
is natural, considered most wonderful
bird, and was made the theme of talks
for days after the rescue; while Lills
herself lay prostrated upon a bed OF
sickness. The reaction from despair
to hope had done what distress had
not been able to do, and it was long
before she was we'll enough to come
up on deck.
When she did so she was but a shad-
ow of herself; but youth rallies quickly,
and she soon was as merry and bloom.
ing as before.
The captain was quite an old man,
and his heart warmed towards Lila in
a fatherly manned.
81 have a son at home" he said TO
her one day, "who would give his eyes
for pigeon like that" pointing to Lii
las pet, which WAS, rs usual, perched
on her shoulder. Hes that fond Of
studying into the ways Of dumb crea-
tures that he's good for nothing else.
Not but he's made a good thing vi it,
Tor he Is now professorof of some depart
ment in college, which deals in lust
such things He corresponds with
learned men all the world, and I'm
proud OF him. if | do sa. it who should
not. He is greatly taken with this kind
OF carrier-pigeOn, and quite while ago
he let an educated East Indian take
home one OF his pet birds, with the
understanding that he should let him
loose when he got home. and wing his
way back, bringing my son letter tell
ing of his safe arrival But Perry has
never heard from him, or hadn't when
| was home last time. He SAYS most
probably some accident happened on
his homing trip"
'How long ago was it?| asked Lila.
''lt was about two Years since"
81 found my pigeon almost wounded
TO death just about that time" said Lii
la. And he had note tied under his
wing with the oldest looking writing
on it | ever saw, shouldn't wonder
if it came from the East Indies; | will
get the note and show you. saved IL,
meaning to be honorable, and let the
pigeon take it to its proper owner when
| conld make up my mind to part with
the pretty creature"
And Lila put her bright lips to her
pets white throat with a loving ges-
ture.
Don't do anything of the kind,
You've got an undoubted right to the
bird. That would be an excess of hon
esty."
Lila smiled at the captains views
regarding her intended restoration.
Your advice agrees with nv wishes,
but | don't quite think it does with nv
conscience" she said. ''But | will get
the billet
1t proved to be as much of a puzzle
to the captain as to Lila. So they
had to wait for its solution until land
was reached,
That time soon arrived, and then
Lila was domiciled with her relatives,
who had almost given up all hope of
welcoming her, thinking that the ship
Hilda must have shared the fate of 9TH
ers which had been given up for lost.
One evening the captain called to see
her, accompanied by his learned son,
who was so shy and constrained in his
manner that Lila at first thought him
very uninteresting; but she found out
her mistake before the call was over,
as he could talk German with her like
a native, and, once warmed to his sub
ject. lost the GOODNESS which had at first
seemed to chill Lila.
The pet pigeon came in for his full
share of interest. although he did not
prove to be the old friend the captain
had spoken Of
The professor was able to translate
the contents of the billet, which was
writtsH IN one of the abstruse tongues
which he had mssteps4. 1t had been
undoubtedly penned in spirit Of sport.
ful romance BY some young scholar in
u foreign university, and fastened TO q
honing pigeon. The writer little
thought how like a prophecy the ensu-
ing events would make it seem,
Go forth white bird, TO one whose maiden soul
Is like thy cleaning Plumage-White!
Tell her that Ger the bIllows thunderous roll
One waits her comiDg-her true knight!
1t has proved a true prophecy. Lii
la and the professor are to be married
in the spring.